Former US president Jimmy Carter dies aged 100VB Prabhu Verlekar Q Our litigation cases in all Courts at different levels are swelling, thereby denying timely justice to public as also affecting ease of doing business. We are inviting suggestions from various stake holders of Society to present to Central Government as also Supreme Court. With your experience, do you have any suggestions to make? Secretary, Young Advocates Forum (Goa Branch) Presently over 4.5 crores cases are pending in various Courts. At the present rate of disposal, it will take 324 years to dispose without considering new additions as per the Niti Aayog report. This great challenge cannot be solved only by increasing number of courts, judges, court infrastructure, three-shift courts, virtual courts, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, restricting adjournments or any other method unless high level sophisticated AI Technology tools like Chat GPT is used extensively in drafting court judgements by feeding basic facts, arguments submitted and cases cited by both the parties. The draft of the order will be ready within 10 minutes after considering all the judgements available on the subject in the web space. The judges can make changes after going through the draft and then sign the judgement order. For feeding the data, trained law graduates can be used. Initially Chat GPT can be used for straight forward disputes like bail, negotiable instrument claims, debt recoveries, consent decrees, ompensation claims etc. For this, judges, court clerks should be trained to use the tool effectively by holding, prompt engineering, workshops for drafting quality judgements. For criminal cases, day and night camp courts should be setup in jails and poor under trial prisoners for petty offences should be released with minor punishments. Argentina and Colombia Courts effectively use Chat GPT tool. Young junior judges should try this tool and see the fantastic results. Q. We are running a hospital. Before we discharge a patient he is required to make payment of hospital charges in full in cash since receiving payment by cheques is risky. Very often payment runs into lakhs. Are there any restrictions to receive payment in cash as per the Income Tax Act? Health Care Givers, Belgaum. Hospitals in India can accept payments in cash from patients under Income Tax Act. However, there are certain restrictions and compliance requirements. Under Section 269 ST no person can receive an amount of Rs. 2 lakh or more in cash from a single person in a day or in respect of a single transaction. Therefore, if your hospital receives cash from a patient exceeding Rs 2 lakhs in violation of this provision, the hospital may have to pay 100 per cent penalty on the amount received. Also note that you are required to obtain PAN number from the patient making cash payments of Rs 50,000 or more and report this to the tax authorities as per IT Rules. Q. I am an Israeli engineer working on a project in India under “resident visa” in Bangalore and visit Goa every weekend. I intend to buy an apartment here. Can a foreign national who is, a person resident in India purchase immovable property in India? Hiam Abbass, Bangalore Yes. A foreign national who is a ‘person resident in India’ within the meaning of Section 29 of FEMA, 1999 can purchase immovable property in India, but the person concerned would have to obtain the approvals and fulfil the requirements, if any, prescribed by other authorities, such as the concerned State Government etc. The onus to prove the residential status is on the individual as per FEMA provisions, if required by any authority. However, a foreign national, resident in India who is citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, China, Nepal and Bhutan would require prior approval of the Reserve Bank. Q I wish to open a PPF account in the name of my minor son to get tax free income and claim deduction of Rs. 1.50 lakhs under section 80C of IT Act. Is it possible? Arvind S. Kamat, Taleigao. Under new Public Provident Fund (PPF) rules, PPF accounts opened for minors will earn interest at Post Office Saving Account rates i.e. around 4% until the minor turns 18. This interest is exempt up to Rs 10,000. The maturity period of 15 years for these accounts will start on the minor’s 18th birth date. Separate deduction of Rs. 1.50 lakhs u/s 80C is not separately available for minor. This limit will combine with parents PPF contribution. Q. My ailing uncle is in old age home confined to bed with dementia. He earns government pension of around Rs. 10 Lakhs, besides interest on bank deposits. Is there any exemption from filing tax return available in such cases? Carlos S Castelino- Sanvordem Section 194P of I.T. Act provides conditions for exempting senior citizens of 75 years and above from filing tax returns subject to conditions that the senior citizen is resident in India and must have pension income and interest income from a single designated bank account on savings and deposits only. The same should be earned from the same bank in which he is receiving pension. For this one should submit a declaration in Form 12BBA giving specified information to enable bank to deduct TDS. Only when TDS is deducted, he is exempt from filing tax return. The writer is well established, senior practising chartered accountant with wide experience in taxation and finance. He is also a strategist in turn round management of institutions.
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Canada Carbon (CVE:CCB) Stock Price Down 33.3% – Here’s What HappenedAP News Summary at 5:01 p.m. ESTCalifornia utilities’ wildfire projects burn through ratepayer money
NoneAmsterdam-based startup CarbonX has secured €4mn to industrialise a new anode material that could help Europe reduce its reliance on China for graphite, a substance which makes up half the weight of a typical lithium-ion battery. Netherlands-based VC Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam led the round. It’s an extension on CarbonX’s €10mn capital injection announced in February, capping off the funding round at a cosy €14mn. Graphite is the go-to material for lithium-ion battery anodes, which is the negative electrode responsible for storing and releasing electrons during the charging and discharging process . Its found in batteries that power everything from EVs to smartphones. The EU imports almost 100% of its graphite from China, which recently imposed restrictions on exports of the carbon-based material amid rising political tensions between Bejing and the West. The 💜 of EU tech The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now! “A resilient battery supply chain is crucial for global electrification,” said CarbonX’s co-founder Rutger van Raalten. “Yet, we don’t see sufficient alternatives for locally sourcing critical raw materials such as graphite.” CarbonX wants to offer European and American battery makers a way to source a graphite alternative that is not just locally-made, but greener and better performing. Spun out from Delft University of Technology in 2014, the company has developed an “emulsion feedstock” technology that takes carbon black — a fine, black powder made mostly of pure carbon — and processes it into a material with a complex 3D porous structure. Similar to graphite, this hexagonal formation creates spaces where lithium ions can insert themselves during charging. However, CarbonX says that its material has even more little crevices for the lithium ions to hide. That equals faster charging and longer-lasting batteries. “CarbonX’s unique 3D porous network structure improves electron and lithium-ion transfer, while it is still highly compressible to achieve high energy densities,” explained Daniela Sordi, CTO and co-founder of CarbonX. CarbonX’s feedstock technology purportedly consumes much less energy compared to synthetic or natural graphite production. This equals lower costs and less carbon emissions, it said. The company’s carbon anode material is currently undergoing “late-stage qualifications” with “several top 10 global battery cell manufacturers.” It expects to secure its first offtake agreements halfway into 2025. Graphite demand is expected to rise by 20-25 times between 2020 to 2040, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). To cater to this “enormous market pull,” CarbonX plans to scale up quickly. CarbonX is currently planning its first high-capacity facility at an existing carbon black factory in the Port of Rotterdam. Its tech can “plug-in” to existing carbon black factories, using their current equipment, so there’s no need to build new plants. The company is also undergoing a feasibility study for a 20,000 ton per annum production line in both Europe and US, it said. “The founders of CarbonX found an answer to the developing Chinese export ban on graphite,” commented Jesse In ‘t Velt, investment manager of Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam.
By Ja'han Jones On Tuesday, a federal judge sentenced one of four activists convicted of conspiracy to act as agents of a foreign government , who worked with and for the Russian government to aid that efforts to sow political disunity in the U.S. Activist Augustus Romain Jr., 38, of Atlanta will serve five years’ probation and submit to random drug screenings. This case stemmed from federal investigators’ discovery that Romain and several associates worked with Russian officials to stoke political unrest and promote pro-Russian talking points in the U.S. from 2016 to 2022. Romain, who is Black, was convicted in September alongside Omali Yeshitela, a leader of the so-called Uhuru Movement, and Jesse Nevel and Penny Hess, who are white. Romain and Yeshitela had both been leaders of an umbrella organization known as the African People’s Socialist Party until Romain, who uses the nonbinary pronoun they, left to form their own group . The Atlanta Journal Constitution laid out some of the findings on Romain’s group and their work with a Kremlin-linked official named Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov in a recent report. From the AJC : Romain left the group in 2018 and returned to Atlanta to form the Black Hammer Party, which they used to conduct often outlandish protests around the city, including an anti-vaccine protest outside the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the COVID-19 epidemic, and a demonstration with members of the far-right Proud Boys in front of the CNN Center. FBI investigators said Ionov funded a number of Black Hammer activities, including a demonstration at the California headquarters of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, in March 2022 over its policies regarding content about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Justice Department said that in addition to protesting Meta on Russia’s dime, Romain posted Russian propaganda to social media at Ionov’s direction and sought Ionov’s input on a news release from their organization that condemned President Joe Biden’s support for Ukraine. The other co-conspirators in this case are expected to be sentenced next week. This case is a prime example of why voters must be wary of ostensibly radical activists whose rhetoric closely mirrors Russian far-right rhetoric. We know from a bipartisan S enate report on the Kremlin’s meddling in the 2016 election that Russian officials have taken a particular interest in targeting Black Americans with political propaganda. Considering a federal indictment filed this year alleges that Kremlin-linked officials have paid influencers to peddle right-wing, pro-Russian talking points, there’s no reason to believe Russia's efforts to infect the Black political discussion has been limited to Romain and their associates. Ja'han Jones is The ReidOut Blog writer. He's a futurist and multimedia producer focused on culture and politics. His previous projects include "Black Hair Defined" and the "Black Obituary Project."
The University of Michigan announced it will no longer require applicants for faculty jobs, promotions and tenure to submit statements on their commitment to diversity. Provost Laurie McCauley made the decision following a recommendation from an eight-member faculty group, according to the school. The group reviewed “public literature” on the topic and analyzed nearly 2,000 responses to a faculty survey on the matter. “Most responding faculty agreed that diversity statements put pressure on faculty to express specific positions on moral, political or social issues,” the university said of the survey. “Slightly more disagreed than agreed that diversity statements allow an institution to demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by cultivating DEI in the faculty.” The diversity statements were criticized for the way they potentially “limit freedom of expression and diversity of thought on campus,” the school wrote. “Diversity, equity and inclusion are three of our core values at the university. Our collective efforts in this area have produced important strides in opening opportunities for all people,” McCauley wrote in a statement on the school’s decision. “As we pursue this challenging and complex work, we will continuously refine our approach.” Though the university had not previously issued strict rules about requiring diversity declarations, it noted they arose due to a “decentralized and heterogeneous culture” surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts on campus. “Critics of diversity statements perceive them as expressions of personal identity traits, support of specific ideology or opinions on socially relevant issues, and serve as a ‘litmus test’ of whether a faculty member’s views are politically acceptable,” the faculty group’s report reads. “Thus, as currently enacted, diversity statements have the potential to limit viewpoints and reduce diversity of thought among faculty members.” The working group also recommended the school incorporate DEI content into “research and service statements” and provide faculty members with training on how to write these materials. The university did not implement those recommendations, it said. “The provost’s office will continue to work with campus leaders and faculty to identify ways to help foster a welcoming and inclusive environment in classrooms, labs and performance spaces,” the school added. The move comes amid sweeping changes to diversity initiatives across higher education. The University of Kentucky and University of Nebraska in August each disbanded their diversity offices. Other schools have also abandoned their diversity statement requirements this year, including Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.AI camera helps save elephant herd from train collisionOpinion editor’s note: Strib Voices publishes a mix of guest commentaries online and in print each day. To contribute, click here . ••• Chronic absenteeism is a serious issue in our schools, with one in four Minnesota students regularly missing class. Lawmakers are working on solutions — improving data systems, enhancing transportation and dedicating staff to monitoring attendance. These are essential steps, but we should also ask: why aren’t students excited to come to school? When I think back, it wasn’t just academics that made me show up — it was the joy of being with friends, the thrill of free time and moments of connection. Over time, much of that has been squeezed out of the school day. Today’s kids are missing out on the experiences that made school meaningful for us — and that’s not just a loss of fun. It’s a loss of opportunities to build friendships, develop confidence and be part of a community. As a parent and the executive director of Playworks, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful play can be in a child’s life. Play is essential at every grade level. Yet not all students have positive experiences during free time at school. Bullying and exclusion can turn what should be a time for connection into a source of anxiety. Schools can address this by prioritizing inclusive, engaging environments focusing on safety, connection and fun. Evidence-based frameworks guide educators to create these experiences, ensuring play becomes meaningful and impactful in every student’s day. In many elementary schools, I’ve seen the lines of four square courts and hopscotch have faded — reminders of activities children are no longer sure how to initiate. Recess, a critical part of elementary school, can be either the highlight or the low point, yet it’s often the least planned-for time. With nearly 90% of disciplinary issues occurring before, during or after recess or lunch, schools have a significant opportunity to reimagine these moments. By investing in play, schools can reduce discipline problems, improve their climate, foster leadership and boost academic engagement. In middle and high schools, student playtime can look different but still have immense benefits — open gym, music jams and hands-on tech projects. These activities help students explore their interests, build friendships and strengthen their sense of community. They enhance memory, reduce stress and improve focus — all critical for academic success. Research highlights the transformative power of play across all grade levels. A study in the American Journal of Public Health found that incorporating play into the school day enhances students’ sense of safety and engagement — key factors linked to consistent attendance. In one high school, absenteeism dropped from 35% to 23% within a year after reintroducing free-form play opportunities during lunch. Multiple studies confirm that play contributes to higher test scores and improved classroom behavior, proving playtime is critical to student success. Programs like Playworks offer examples of how play can create meaningful change. In the Junior Coach program, fourth and fifth graders learn to lead games, model positive behavior and include peers who might be sitting on the sidelines. A chronically absent student who proudly wore her purple vest each day after joining the Junior Coach program took her leadership role to heart. She became so invested in welcoming others to play that she insisted her mother call the school to let them know she would return as soon as possible when she fell ill. Her transformation demonstrates how play can inspire responsibility in students and engagement from families. With schools already collecting attendance and behavioral data, measuring the impact of play is straightforward. This makes the approach both cost-effective and sustainable. There are well-established approaches to bring back the fun experiences many of us once knew. This isn’t about creating something entirely new but rediscovering what made school feel inviting in the first place. I spoke recently with elementary school principal Jenny Parker, who said it best. “Recess is still where kids want to be.” Play isn’t the sole solution to chronic absenteeism — barriers like transportation and family challenges remain — making school a playful place where kids genuinely want to be is a critical piece of the puzzle we can’t afford to overlook. Shauna McDonald is the executive director of Playworks Minnesota.Arsenal, Manchester City and Bayern Munich all advanced to the Women’s Champions League quarterfinals with with two games to spare on Thursday. Late substitute Lina Hurtig scored the winner in Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Juventus in London. Khadija Shaw scored twice for City in a 2-1 win at Swedish club Hammarby. City stayed perfect in Group D with four victories and reached the last eight for the first time since 2021. Bayern Munich was held 1-1 at Vålerenga in Norway and still earned a quarterfinal berth after Juventus' loss. Arsenal, Bayern and City join Chelsea, Lyon and Real Madrid in the quarterfinals. Two-time defending champion Barcelona routed Austrian champion St. Pölten 4-1. The Catalan club trails City by three points in their group and is in a strong position to advance. Bayern tops Group C with 10 points, Arsenal has nine followed by Juventus (3) and Vålerenga (1). Man City responded to its first loss of the season, 2-0 at Chelsea in the Women's Super League on Saturday. Still without injured star Vivianne Miedema , Shaw took charge, proving her scoring instincts after half an hour. The forward scored from inside the penalty area with a deflected shot that flew over goalkeeper Anna Tamminen to frustrate more than 20,000 noisy fans at the Stockholm Arena in the Swedish capital. Ellen Wangerheim equalized soon after the interval from close range to rejuvenate the crowd but Shaw struck again to restore the lead just minutes later. This time, she delivered a powerful right-footed finish from the edge of the area. Bayern dominated possession but could not translate it into goals until the 75th minute. It had to rely on substitute Jovana Damnjanović, who gave the visitors a late lead after connecting on a pass from Giulia Gwinn. The Norwegians, who have retained their domestic title, equalized in the 88th on Elise Thorsnes' header following a corner. Pernille Harder, who found the back of the net five times for Bayern in the previous three games, could not do it again on Thursday and was substituted. Hurtig came on with 10 minutes remaining and made her presence immediately felt with several headers. She finally made the breakthrough with a minute remaining in regulation, tapping in from close range after Juventus’ poor clearance of a low cross by Stina Blackstenius. Hurtig won the Italian title with Juventus in 2021 and 2022 before joining the Gunners. Juventus seemed to learn a lesson from its 4-0 loss to Arsenal last week as its defense held firm till Hurtig’s arrival. In an 11-minute span in the first half, Francisca Nazareth netted twice and 18-year-old Vicky Lopez scored once to put Barcelona in control. Nazareth's double was followed by Lopez hitting the third with a shot high into the net for her first Champions League goal. Alexia Putellas made it 4-0 in the second half, finishing a fast attack that tore apart the defense in Vienna. It was her 200th goal for Barcelona and the 100th the club scored in the Champions League’s group stage. Valentina Mädl, an 18-year-old forward, netted a consolation goal for the hosts. Barcelona has scored 20 goals in its past three games and can still become the first club to win its group in all four years since the introduction of the format. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad fled to Moscow on Sunday, Russian media reported, hours after a stunning rebel advance took over the capital of Damascus and ended the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule. The Russian agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source on Assad and his family being given asylum in Moscow, his longtime ally and protector. The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the reports but contacted the Kremlin for comment. RIA also said Moscow had received guarantees from Syrian insurgents of the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria. Assad reportedly left Syria early Sunday, and Syrians have been pouring into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, ending the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule. The swiftly moving events have raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. Russia has requested an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council discuss the situation in Syria, Russia’s first deputy permanent representative to the U.N., Dmitry Polyansky, posted on Telegram. Joyful crowds gathered in squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. Others gleefully ransacked the presidential palace and residence after Assad and other top officials vanished. Abu Mohammed al-Golani, a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance, leads the biggest rebel faction and is poised to chart the country’s future. In his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, al-Golani visited the sprawling Umayyad Mosque and called Assad’s fall “a victory to the Islamic nation.” Calling himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and not his nom de guerre, he told hundreds of people that Assad had made Syria “a farm for Iran’s greed.” The rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country ravaged by war and still split among armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in some remote areas. Syrian state television broadcast a rebel statement early Sunday saying Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been released. They called on people to preserve the institutions of “the free Syrian state.” The rebels later announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. The rebels said they freed people held at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed. A video circulating online purported to show rebels breaking open cell doors and freeing dozens of female prisoners, many of whom appeared shocked. At least one small child was seen among them. “This happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where is he,” said one relative, Bassam Masr. “I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years.” Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi later appeared on state TV and sought to reassure Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities, saying: “Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects.” “We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did,” he added. Damascus residents prayed in mosques and celebrated in squares, calling, “God is great.” People chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. Teenage boys picked up weapons apparently discarded by security forces and fired into the air. Revelers filled Umayyad Square, where the Defense Ministry is located. Some waved the three-starred Syrian flag that predates the Assad government and was adopted by the revolutionaries. Elsewhere, many parts of the capital were empty and shops were closed. Soldiers and police left their posts and fled, and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Videos showed families wandering the presidential palace, some carrying stacks of plates and other household items. “It’s like a dream. I need someone to wake me up,” said opposition fighter Abu Laith, adding the rebels were welcomed in Damascus with “love.” At the Justice Ministry, where rebels stood guard, Judge Khitam Haddad said they were protecting documents from the chaos. Outside, some residents sought information about relatives who disappeared under Assad. The rebels “have felt the pain of the people,” said one woman, giving only her first name, Heba. She worried about possible revenge killings by the rebels, many of whom appeared to be underage. Syria’s al-Watan newspaper, which was historically pro-government, wrote: “We are facing a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood.” It added that media workers should not be blamed for publishing past government statements, saying it “only carried out the instructions.” A statement from the Alawite sect that has formed the core of Assad’s base called on young Syrians to be “calm, rational and prudent and not to be dragged into what tears apart the unity of our country.” The rebels mainly come from the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, which also has sizable Druze, Christian and Kurdish communities. In Qamishli in the northeast, a Kurdish man slapped a statue of the late leader Hafez Assad with his shoe. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said the government was ready to “extend its hand” to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. A video shared on Syrian opposition media showed armed men escorting him from his office and to the Four Seasons hotel on Sunday. Anwar Gargash said Assad’s destination at this point is a “footnote in history,” comparing it to the long exile of German Kaiser Wilhelm II after World War I. The rebel advances since Nov. 27 were the largest in recent years, and saw the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs fall within days as the Syrian army melted away. Russia, Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group, which provided crucial support to Assad throughout the uprising, abandoned him as they reeled from other conflicts. The end of Assad’s rule was a major blow to Iran and its allies, already weakened by conflict with Israel. Iran, which had strongly backed him throughout the civil war, said Syrians should decide their future “without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention.” The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked after apparently having been abandoned. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile said Israeli troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned positions. Israel’s military later warned residents of five southern Syria communities to stay home for their safety, and didn’t respond to questions. Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied, and the Arab League on Sunday condemned what it called Israel’s efforts to take advantage of Assad’s downfall occupy more territory. The rebels are led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, which has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations. Al-Golani, has sought to recast the group as a moderate and tolerant force. “Golani has made history and sparked hope among millions of Syrians,” said Dareen Khalifa, a senior adviser with the International Crisis Group. “But he and the rebels now face a formidable challenge ahead.” The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” The Gulf nation of Qatar, a key regional mediator, hosted an emergency meeting of foreign ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria late Saturday. They included Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey. Majed al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, said they agreed on the need “to engage all parties on the ground,” including the HTS, and that the main concern is “stability and safe transition.” ___ Sewell reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue, Sarah El Deeb and Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut; Samar Kassaballi, Omar Sanadiki and Ghaith Alsayed in Damascus; Jon Gambrell in Manama, Bahrain; Josef Federman in Doha, Qatar; and Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem, contributed. To remove this article -Rape allegation against Jay-Z will not affect NFL relationship, says chief
WINDHOEK, Namibia (AP) — Namibia elected its first female leader as Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was declared the winner Tuesday of a presidential election last week that was tarnished by technical glitches that caused a three-day extension to allow votes to be cast, and rejected as illegal by opposition parties. The 72-year-old Nandi-Ndaitwah won with 57% of the vote, defying predictions that she might be forced into a runoff. Her ruling SWAPO party also retained its parliamentary majority, although by a very thin margin, and extended its 34-year hold on power since the southern African country gained independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. Namibia, a sparsely populated country of around 3 million on the southwestern coast of Africa, has a reputation for being one of the continent's more stable democracies and the problems around the election have caused consternation. Last Wednesday's vote was marred by shortages of ballot papers and other problems that led election officials to extend voting until Saturday. Opposition parties have said the extension is unconstitutional, and some have pledged to join together in a legal appeal to have the election invalidated. The Electoral Commission of Namibia, which ran the election, rejected opposition calls for a redo of the vote. It has undermined Nandi-Ndaitwah's place in history. She is set to become her country's fifth president since independence and a rare female leader in Africa. She was a member of Namibia's underground independence movement in the 1970s and received part of her higher education in the then-Soviet Union. She was promoted to vice president in February after President Hage Geingob died while in office . Nangolo Mbumba, who became president after Geingob's death, didn't run in the election. The ruling SWAPO party won 51 seats in the parliamentary vote, only just passing the 49 it needed to keep its majority and narrowly avoiding becoming another long-ruling party to be rejected in southern Africa this year. It was SWAPO's worst parliamentary election result. A mood of change has swept across the region, with parties that led their countries out of white minority or colonial rule in neighboring South Africa and Botswana both losing their long-held political dominance. South Africa's African National Congress, which freed the country from the racist system of apartheid, lost its 30-year majority in an election in May and had to form a coalition. Botswana's ruling party was stunningly removed in a landslide in October after governing for 58 years since independence from Britain. Mozambique's long-ruling Frelimo has been accused of rigging an October election and has faced weeks of violent protests against its rule. SWAPO faced similar challenges as those countries, with frustration at high unemployment and economic hardship, especially among young people, driving a desire for era-ending change. In a brief speech after the results were announced late Tuesday night, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibians had voted for peace, stability and youth empowerment. “We are going to do what we promised you during the campaigns. Thank you for your confidence and trust in us," she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah was also due to address the nation on Wednesday morning. “SWAPO Wins. Netumbo Wins. Namibia Wins. Now Hard Work,” the ruling party posted on its official account on social media site X. Some opposition parties boycotted the announcement by the Electoral Commission of Namibia at its results center in the capital, Windhoek. The commission has been roundly criticized for its running of the vote, with many angry Namibians complaining they had to wait hours and sometimes over multiple days for the chance to vote. Just over 1 million votes were cast out of 1.4 million registered voters, according to the electoral commission. Panduleni Itula, the leading opposition candidate from the Independent Patriots for Change party, was second in the presidential election with 25% of the vote. His party won the second-largest number of seats in Parliament behind SWAPO. Itula and his party have led the criticism of the vote and said they will lodge their appeal against the election this week. Other opposition parties said they will join that legal challenge. Itula has said that thousands of voters may have been prevented from voting as only some polling stations allowed an extension. "This election has violated the very tenets of our Electoral Act. Namibians deserve the right to choose their leaders freely and fairly, not through a rigged process,” he said. Namibia is a former German colony that came under South African control after World War I and its Black majority was later subjected to some of South Africa’s apartheid policies. SWAPO was at the forefront of the battle for independence from South Africa. While the country has swaths of desert running through it, it has diamond and uranium resources and untapped oil and gas off its coast that is being explored by international companies and could make it a major producer of both. ___ AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa The Associated PressDonald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell as he’s named Time’s Person of the Year
How AI Is Transforming Change ManagementBOSTON — Forty years ago, Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie rolled to his right and threw a pass that has become one of college football’s most iconic moments. With Boston College trailing defending champion Miami, Flutie threw the Hail Mary and found receiver Gerard Phalen, who made the grab while falling into the end zone behind a pair of defenders for a game-winning 48-yard TD. Flutie and many of his 1984 teammates were honored on the field during BC’s 41-21 victory over North Carolina before the second quarter on Saturday afternoon, the anniversary of the Eagles’ Miracle in Miami. “There’s no way its been 40 years,” Flutie told The Associated Press on the sideline a few minutes before he walked out with some of his former teammates to be recognized after a video of The Play was shown on the scoreboards. A statue commemorating Doug Flutie's famed "Hail Mary" pass during a game against Miami on Nov. 23, 1994, sits outside Alumni Stadium at Boston College. Famous football plays often attain a legendary status with religious names like the "Immaculate Reception," the "Hail Mary" pass and the Holy Roller fumble. It’s a moment and highlight that’s not only played throughout decades of BC students and fans, but around the college football world. “What is really so humbling is that the kids 40 years later are wearing 22 jerseys, still,” Flutie said of his old number. “That amazes me.” That game was played on national TV the Friday after Thanksgiving. The ironic thing is it was originally scheduled for earlier in the season before CBS paid Rutgers to move its game against Miami, thus setting up the BC-Miami post-holiday matchup. Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie rejoices in his brother Darren's arms after B.C. defeats Miami with a last second touchdown pass on Nov. 23, 1984, in Miami. “It shows you how random some things are, that the game was moved,” Flutie said. “The game got moved to the Friday after Thanksgiving, which was the most watched game of the year. We both end up being nationally ranked and up there. All those things lent to how big the game itself was, and made the pass and the catch that much more relevant and remembered because so many people were watching.” There’s a statue of Flutie winding up to make The Pass outside the north gates at Alumni Stadium. Fans and visitors can often be seen taking photos there. “In casual conversation, it comes up every day,” Flutie said, when asked how many times people bring it up. “It brings a smile to my face every time we talk about it.” A week after the game-ending Flutie pass, the Eagles beat Holy Cross and before he flew off to New York to accept the Heisman. They went on to win the 49th Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day. Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie evades Miami defensive tackle Kevin Fagan during the first quarter of a game on Nov. 23, 1984, in Miami, Fla. “Forty years seem almost like incomprehensible,” said Phalen, also standing on the sideline a few minutes after the game started. “I always say to Doug: ‘Thank God for social media. It’s kept it alive for us.”’ Earlier this week, current BC coach Bill O’Brien, 55, was asked if he remembered where he was 40 years ago. “We were eating Thanksgiving leftovers in my family room,” he said. “My mom was saying a Rosary in the kitchen because she didn’t like Miami and wanted BC to win. My dad, my brother and I were watching the game. “It was unbelievable,” he said. “Everybody remembers where they were for the Hail Mary, Flutie pass.” Mike Tyson, left, slaps Jake Paul during a weigh-in ahead of their heavyweight bout, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) In this image taken with a slow shutter speed, Spain's tennis player Rafael Nadal serves during a training session at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, in Malaga, southern Spain, on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. 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